Achieving Immunity in Hepatitis B Vaccine Nonresponders
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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Three double doses of the combined hepatitis A/B vaccine provided protective HBV immunity in 95% of hepatitis B vaccine nonresponders.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
July 2, 2008
Covering:
Cardell K et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Jun 10
Diepolder HM., J Infect Dis 2008 Jun 10
HCV Among Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
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Prevalence may be higher than in the general U.S. population, and risk factors may differ.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 27, 2008
Covering:
Batash S et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2008 Apr; 103:922
Normal Liver Enzyme Levels in Chronic Hepatitis B
General Medicine Summary and Comment
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Disease progression occurs even in patients with persistently normal serum ALT levels.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
June 24, 2008
Covering:
Kumar M et al., Gastroenterology 2008 May; 134:1376
CRP Levels in HIV- and HIV/HCV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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HIV infection is associated with increased CRP levels in men, whereas HIV/HCV coinfection is associated with decreased CRP levels in men and women.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
June 18, 2008
Covering:
Reingold JS et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008 Jun 1; 48:142
Abacavir Use May Decrease Response to HCV Therapy in Coinfected Patients
HIV/AIDS Summary and Comment
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In a retrospective analysis, abacavir use was associated with an increased rate of HCV treatment failure when ribavirin exposure was low.
By Melissa Osborn, MD, and Carlos del Rio, MD
June 9, 2008
Covering:
Vispo E et al., Antivir Ther 2008 ; 13:429
Hepatitis C-Related Mortality: An Update
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
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Population study confirms prior model-based prediction of a steep rise in U.S. HCV-related mortality.
Cannabis Use Increases Risk for Hepatic Steatosis in HCV Patients
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
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Another reason to "just say no"
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 6, 2008
Covering:
Hézode C et al., Gastroenterology 2008 Feb; 134:432
Overlapping Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
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AIH patients with higher-than-usual alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels might be at higher risk for AIH-PSC overlap.
Entecavir Inhibits HIV at Reduced Viral Inoculum
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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The HBV drug entecavir has anti-HIV activity at a low viral inoculum and shouldn’t be used in HIV/HBV-coinfected patients who are not receiving combination ART.
By Lynn L. Estes, PharmD
May 14, 2008
Covering:
Lin P-F et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2008 May; 52:1759
Individualization of Treatment Duration in Genotype 1 HCV-Positive Patients
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
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Is it time to stop treating all HCV-positive patients the same way?
